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Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
THE 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League mid-term report is out and the traditional giants Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United punched below their weight in the first 17 games.
Both Highlanders and CAPS United rounded off the first stretch with defeats, in a clear reflection of their struggles this season. Fellow giants Dynamos needed an added time goal to claim a 1-0 win over GreenFuel, for comfort.
Highlanders were beaten 2- 0 by Yadah at Heart Stadium on Saturday, to end the first half on fifth place, with 26 points in the bag. Still, they are nine points behind pace-setters FC Platinum who lead the race with 35 points despite being held to a 1-1 draw at TelOne on Sunday.
Highlanders have not won the title in 18 years and they had renewed hopes earlier this season, following the return of Zambian coach Kelvin Kaindu. Bosso had a bright start but they quickly ran out of steam, with six wins, eight draws and three defeats.
CAPS United also played on Saturday and fell short in the 2-3 defeat to defending champions Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab. This result left Makepekepe sitting on the fence at halfway stage on 22 points.
Lloyd Chitembwe’s men have also won six games from 17 starts. They have four draws and seven losses. Striker William Manondo appears to have rediscovered his scoring touch as he heads into the break leading the scoring charts on eight goals.
He broke away from the pack following his goal at the weekend in the defeat to Ngezi Platinum Stars. Evans Katema of Bikita Minerals and Highlanders’ Lynoth Chikuhwa are on seven goals.
But overall, CAPS United have been disappointing despite Manondo’s form and the leadership qualities demonstrated by Godknows Murwira in his newly-found role as captain and central defender
They conceded 19 goals and scored 21.
DeMbare, on the other hand, appear headed for a 10th season without winning the silverware following a lukewarm run under Genesis Mangombe.
Dynamos have largely been a pale shadow of their record as the most successful club in the league with 21 titles to their name.
With five wins, nine draws and three defeats, they have amassed 24 points. They performed dismally compared to the previous two seasons.
At halfway stage last year, they were on 28 points from 17 games and still the performance claimed the scalp of coach Herbert Maruwa, who was fired just one game into the second-round matches following a draw against Hwange.
They fared even better the previous season when they amassed 34 points from 17 games. Their coach Mangombe has the backing of the management who still believe the second half will be better.
“Of course, the first half was a bit tricky. I think you saw most of the games how we played. In terms of playing, we were very much okay but in terms of conversion we were very poor,” said Mangombe.
Dynamos supporters were losing hope with their team after playing nine draws in 17 starts, and winning only five times.
“We managed to have so many draws and at the end of the day if those draws were wins we must have been in a better position. So, the first half was a bit tricky, and I think we need to start on a good note in the second part of the season.”
“At times you need to be strong because fans want maximum points. They need to see Dynamos in every match. They don’t accept a loss. So, you need to work very hard and produce results.
“Even the players themselves need to know that playing for Dynamos is not easy. You need to be strong and brave and also work under difficult conditions so that you will also be able to grind results in hostile environments.”
Mangombe is also looking forward to participation in the CAF Confederation Cup and has recommended more strikers to turn around their fortunes after managing only 16 goals in 17 starts.
“Definitely we are looking for some additions especially in the attack. We need to add natural strikers and I think in the middle of the part we have a lot of players and in defence we also have a good number of players and good cover as well.
“So, if we can work on our strikeforce, especially the number nine and maybe one or two anchors I think we will be good to go,” said Mangombe.
FC Platinum lead the 2024 championship race at halfway stage.
“They have 35 points to their name after gathering their momentum midway through the first half of the campaign.
The Platinum miners now have an unbeaten run that stretches eight games. They are also the most prolific side with 24 goals.
They are three points clear of Manica Diamonds, who are in second place on 32 points. The Gem Boys have the best defence after conceding 10 goals. FC Platinum and ZPC Kariba have the second best defences after letting in 11 goals apiece.
But Ngezi Platinum Stars have picked up pace in a bid to retain the championship. They have won their last six games to muscle their way into third place at the interval. They are now just five points off the pace in the title race.
Assistant coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva, who is holding fort in the absence of Takesure Chiragwi, is beginning to see the light after recovering from a poor start.
“The consistency in winning is now very pleasing. We started slow, but now we are winning week in week out and it’s quite a difficult thing to achieve in the Premiership.
“But we are proud of the boys because of the hard work that they are putting,” he said.
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